Envelope filling process

ABSTRACT

A method of filling an envelope ( 5 ), a method of processing mail and blank for an envelope ( 5 ) are provided which utilise a two use envelope ( 5 ). The envelope ( 5 ) has a tear strip ( 8 ) on the sealing flap ( 7 ) which enables the envelope ( 5 ) to be opened and resealed for the second use. Filling of the envelope ( 5 ) is through an opening at the bottom of the envelope ( 5 ) with respect to the address information ( 2 ) when in the correct orientation for optical or machine reading.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to methods of automating mail processing.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The use of machines that need little or no human control can largely increase the speed with which letters are folded, loaded in envelopes and sorted before delivery. This is particularly so when a large volume of letters of similar or identical forms need to be processed. Automation, including the steps of mechanical insertion and sorting, can also minimise the occurrence of mis-filling of letters and sorting problems. The cost of processing letters can be largely reduced as the process is no longer labour-intensive.

[0003] Automised letter processing services have been widely adopted by businesses where large volumes of correspondence such as invoices or bills are processed and sent out to customers frequently. In the course of automatic mechanical processing, stamped envelopes are guided and conveyed by pinch rollers, guide rails or the like which abut and grip both sides of the upper portion of conventional standard-sized envelopes, adjoining the flap. Rollers or belts, which are affixed to guiding rails, are utilized as a primary conveying utility throughout the known processing or sorting lines.

[0004] However problems can arise when re-usable envelopes are being processed by the existing processing rollers which are commonly set at a certain position in a processing or sorting line.

[0005] Re-usable envelopes, such as those disclosed in NZ502903, typically have a relatively broad sealing flap in which a tearable strip with a protruding end(s) is provided. The larger flap adds to the overall thickness of the envelope and can cause jams to occur during sorting since the flap extends into the area of the envelope that is contacted by the sorting machinery during the sorting process. Also, the protruding ends of the tearable strip are commonly not flush with the back of an envelope, in that they can be grasped and the tearable strip can be pulled by the receiver of the envelope. When mail is processed mechanically, gripping rollers or other machinery that sorts the envelopes normally contacts the envelopes at the same level as the tearable strip. Consequently, the protruding ends of the tearable strip can get caught on the machinery, or the tearable strip perforations can be separated.

OBJECT

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method which will obviate or minimise the foregoing disadvantage in a simple yet effective manner or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly in one aspect the invention consists in a method of filling an envelope, the method including the steps of providing an envelope having a sealable opening, providing one or more leaves arranged to fit within the envelope, at least one leaf or the envelope carrying at least one machine readable address representative of addressee information; inserting the leaf or leaves into the envelope through the opening such that the address is positioned for correct reading by a machine when the envelope is oriented with the sealable opening below the address with the address in its readable orientation.

[0008] Preferably the envelope has an address window and the addressee information is contained on the leaf or leaves.

[0009] Preferably the envelope can be closed by sealing its opening.

[0010] Preferably the envelope has a re-usable sealing flap in which a tearable strip with protruding ends is provided.

[0011] Preferably the tearable strip has a gap therein so that the tearable strip can be torn towards its outer ends.

[0012] Preferably the envelope can be opened by pulling one of the protruding ends.

[0013] Preferably the envelope is oriented in a position where the flap is at the bottom edge of the envelope in first use.

[0014] Preferably the leaf or leaves is/are mechanically inserted into the upside down envelope through its opening which is located at the bottom edge.

[0015] Preferably one or more address(es) is printed on the leaves such that after insertion through the opening of the envelope, at least one of the addresses is positioned in the window for correct reading by the machine.

[0016] Preferably a code or bar code which can be read by a machine is provided with the address.

[0017] Preferably the code can be provided on the face of the envelope.

[0018] Alternatively the code can be provided as part of the address visible through the window.

[0019] Preferably the envelope comprises a pre-printed return address.

[0020] Preferably the prepaid postal indicia is provided on the envelope.

[0021] In a further aspect the invention consists in a method of processing mail, the method including imprinting or locating a destination or address or a code or bar code on the bottom of a leaf or the covering sheet of a letter or invoice or the like; folding the imprinted leaf in such a way that the leaf is divided into “n” portions with “n−1” creases; providing an envelope, which encloses a space, possessing a translucent or transparent window, in an upside-down position with the opening at the base; inserting the imprinted leaf mechanically into the envelope; the construction and arrangement being such that the destination or address and/or the code or bar code is/are visible through the window and is in an orientation which is readable by a computer scanner or reader; sealing the envelope mechanically before despatching.

[0022] Preferably “n” equals 3.

[0023] Alternatively “” equals 2 or 1.

[0024] Preferably the orientation of the address and the code or bar code is non-inverted and is in a legible orientation.

[0025] Preferably the address, which is to be used in first use and readable through the window, is printed on the leaf in any other side or position that allows the address to show through the window, facing up.

[0026] Optionally, more than one address is printed on either side of the leaf or leaves.

[0027] Conveniently the address can be printed in any other orientation.

[0028] Preferably the leaf or the covering sheet is folded in an either “rolling” or “zig-zag” way.

[0029] Preferably the leaf or the covering sheet is folded into two or three equal portions.

[0030] Alternatively, the leaf or covering sheet can stay unfolded.

[0031] Preferably, the address can be printed in an orientation such that it is visible through the window and is in an orientation which is readable by a computer scanner or reader.

[0032] Preferably the destination or address is provided or duplicated on the top left hand corner of the leaf or covering sheet.

[0033] In a still further aspect, the invention consists in a method of filling a letter mechanically into a window envelope; the construction and arrangement being such that the machine readable address representative of addressee information on the letter which may be viewed through the window can be mechanically read by a machine with the envelope in an upside down position.

[0034] Preferably an opening and a flap is along the bottom of the envelope when the envelope lies in a substantially vertical plane.

[0035] Preferably the address of the envelope is in the right way up when the envelope lies in a substantially vertical plane.

[0036] In a still further aspect, the invention consists in an envelope adapted for return mailing including a back panel; a front panel; a transparent or translucent window through which an address can be seen; a sealing flap which has a pair of adhesive lines there across, one adjacent the fold line between the front panel, and the other adjacent the distal edge of the sealing panel, a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel lines of slits, cuts or perforations across the sealing flap and substantially parallel to the adhesive lines, the lines of slits, cuts or perforations being closely adjacent to the nearer adhesive line, so that in sealing the sealing flap can be folded onto the back panel and the distal adhesive line adhered to the back panel, the material between the lines of slits, cuts or perforations being substantially removed and the adhesive line adjacent the fold line to the front panel being adhered to the back panel to allow the envelope to be re-used; the construction and arrangement being such that the envelope is provided in an upside-down position with its opening and the sealing flap at the base.

[0037] Preferably the material between the lines of slits, cuts or perforations has a gap along its length such that, in use, the material may be removed in both directions from the gap.

[0038] Preferably protruding ends are provided at the two ends of the material such that the envelope can be opened by pulling the protruding ends.

[0039] Preferably the envelope includes side flaps.

[0040] In a still further aspect, the invention consists in a blank for an envelope, the blank being divided in at least three panels comprising a first mail face, a second mail face and a sealing flap, at least the first mail face being pre-printed, the sealing flap being at the bottom of the first mail face with respect to the printing.

[0041] Preferably the blank includes two side flaps.

[0042] Preferably a pair of side flaps are provided on the front panel or the back panel so that the ends of the envelope may be closed in use.

[0043] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

[0044] The invention consists of the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

[0045] One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046]FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrative of preferred example of the present invention,

[0047]FIG. 2 is a front view of a leaf on which two address and a code are printed,

[0048]FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a leaf of FIG. 2 being folded,

[0049]FIG. 3b is a folded leaf on the end portion of which an address and a code are provided,

[0050]FIG. 3c is a folded leaf on the back of which an address and a code are provided,

[0051]FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a filled envelope, showing an address through a transparent or translucent window on the left hand side of the envelope.

[0052]FIG. 4b is a perspective view showing the back of the filled but unsealed envelope in FIG. 4a.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0053] The present invention provides a method of processing mail which utilises re-usable envelopes with or without a window. Either the leaf or leaves within the envelopes, or the envelope carries a machine readable address representative of addressee information

[0054] Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 1, in step 1, prior to being input into a mail assembly line, a destination or address 2 is preferably printed on the top or bottom of a leaf or covering sheet 1 of a letter or an invoice or bills or the like, which is to be sent alone or together with other leaves which are placed under it, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the destination or address 2 can be printed instead or additionally on the back of the leaf or covering sheet 1 of a letter or the like. Optionally, a code or bar code 3, which is machine readable, is provided in the proximity of the address 2. Conveniently, the code or bar code can be provided on the face of an envelope in which the leaf or the like is to be placed. The position of the destination or address 2 and the code 3 are preferably pre-formatted by the use of suitable computer software so that it would always be printed in a fixed position. Preferably, an identical address 4 and code or bar code 34 are printed on the top left hand corner as well. The receiver will therefore be able to see his or her own name and address at the first sight after unfolding. Further processing from this point onwards can be done mechanically and automatically.

[0055] In step 2, the leaf or covering sheet 1, ie. letter, invoice, bill or the like to be carried by the envelope is mechanically fed into an assembly line, such that the address 2 on covering sheet 1 or other address that is carried by another sheet, will be placed immediately behind the window 6.

[0056] In step 3, the content of a letter is commonly mechanically folded into three equal or unequal portions as illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3 b. Conveniently, the letter can stay unfolded or be folded into two equal or unequal portions. Hence, after folding, the content of the letter will end up with a split end 5 at the base, and the destination or address 2 will preferably always end up in a legible orientation. This is the so called “rolling” way of folding. Alternatively, the content of the letter can be folded in a so called “zig-zag” way as shown in FIG. 3c. The folded letter will then have two split ends. When this method of folding is adopted, the address 2 and/or 4 (and/or an extra address 30) will have to be printed on the back of the covering sheet 1 in order for it to be visible through the window and therefore readable by a computer scanner or reader. Also, an additional code 32 will be provided and positioned the right way up for a machine to read. The machine has the functions of recording as well as sorting mail by region. The folding divides the letter into “n” (preferably three) panels with “n−1” fold lines between the panels. Alternatively, “n” equals one or two. Preferably the orientation of the address and the code or bar code is non-inverted and is in a legible orientation.

[0057] Optionally, the address, or more than one identical address (or different address if the leaf or leaves is/are to be returned to the sender) can be printed on any other side or in any other position and orientation, namely upside-down or right way up, on the front or at the back, on the top or at the bottom, of the leaf or the covering leaf, or any combination thereof, such that after insertion through the bottom of the envelope, at least one of the addresses is positioned in the window for correct reading by the machine. This would have the same effect as inserting the pages in the “right way up” into an envelope when the opening or the flap of the envelope is below the window 6 along the bottom edge of the envelope when the envelope lies in a substantially vertical plane. Preferably the destination or address is provided or duplicated on the top left hand corner of the leaf or covering sheet.

[0058] In step 4, a pre-printed envelope, which has a window provided, for example, in any position and a prepaid postal indicia 22 (refer to FIG. 4b) positioned on the same face, is mechanically held. The content of the letter can then be mechanically inserted into the envelope from the bottom through its opening, which is below the window, when the envelope lies in a substantially vertical plane. In other words, the envelope is oriented in a position where the flap 7 is at the bottom edge or the base of the envelope in first use. Alternatively, the pre-printed envelope has no window but a pre-printed address. The opening of the envelope in this case is underneath the address. Conveniently, when the envelope is not pre-printed, the content of the letter is still inserted through its opening, which is located underneath the postal indicia 22. Optionally, a return address is also provided and pre-printed on the envelope.

[0059] In step 5, the folded content of the letter is mechanically inserted into the envelope.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 4a, a filled envelope 5 is shown. Preferably, the front panel of the envelope (represented by A-A) is taller or longer in height than the back panel (represented by B-B). The destination or address 2 or 4 or 30 is shown through the window 6 which is on the front face of the upside down envelope 5. The importance of imprinting the destination or address 2 or 4 or 30 and/or the code 3 or 32 in an exact position is that it will be visible through a transparent or translucent window. The positioning of the window 6, as seen by the sorting machinery, accords with convention and therefore does not necessitate any changes to the machine setup. Alternatively, the window 2 can be provided in any position on the front face of the upside-down envelope 5.

[0061] The envelope can be closed by sealing its opening.

[0062] Turning now to FIG. 4b, the back panel of the upside down envelope 5 is shown with a re-usable sealing flap 7 which includes a tearable strip 8, which has a pair of adhesive lines there across, one adjacent the fold line between the front panel, and the other adjacent the distal edge of the sealing panel, with a protruding end 9 for grasping. The envelope includes side flaps 24 which can either be tucked under and adhered to the inside of the front or the back panel, or adhered to the external surface of the back or front panel. The sealing flap 7 includes two strips 10 and 11, which sandwich the tearable strip 8. The ends 9 are preferably inward of the side edges 12 of the envelope. The tearable strip is formed by a pair of spaced apart lines of slits, cuts or perforations 16 extending across the sealing flap. The lines of slits, cuts or perforations 16 are substantially parallel to the adhesive lines, being closely adjacent to the nearer adhesive line, so that in sealing, the sealing flap can be folded onto the back panel and the distal adhesive line adhered to the back panel, the material between the lines of slits, cuts or perforations being substantially removed and the adhesive line adjacent the fold line to the front panel being adhered to the back panel to allow the envelope to be re-used. The lines of slits, cuts or perforations 16 preferably do not extend fully to the outer ends 17 which increases the strength of the construction as the edges of the flap 7 and the strip 8 retain strength. Both of the strips 10 and 11 are gummed on their back. In first use, the envelope 5 can be sealed by gumming strip 10. The first receiver can then open the envelope 5 by tearing strip 8. Strip 11 will still be available for sealing when envelope 5 is re-used.

[0063] In a preferred alternative form of the invention, the tearing strip 8 has a gap 18 provided along its length, preferably but not necessarily centrally. This enables the envelope to be gripped from the centre gap 18 and each part of the strip 8 can be torn towards the ends of the strip. The cut-out part of the strip 8 may be such that the adjacent ends 19 have an arrowhead or pointed formation to assist in gripping of these parts. In this construction, protruding ends 9 are deleted as shown in FIG. 4b. Optionally, the corners 20 of the flap 7 are cut away so as to further reduce the chance of the outer ends 17 getting caught on any machinery.

[0064] In step 6, the filled envelope is mechanically sealed.

[0065] In step 7, the address 2 or code 4 is read by a computer scanner for sorting purposes.

[0066] It will be seen that the foregoing invention has significant advantage over presently existing method of processing and sorting mail. In particular, the present invention provides a way of eliminating the occurrence of a tearable strip being caught on, or accidentally or unintentionally torn open by, a roller. The smooth running of a mail assembly can then be ensured. It is an advantage of the construction that it can be used in all presently available mail inserting machines, i.e. where process of insertion proceeds with the leading edge forward, or sideway to the left or right.

[0067] The present invention also envisages a method of filling envelopes with no windows in such an orientation that the opening of the envelope is at the base when the envelope lies in a substantially vertical plane. In this case, a pre-printed address which is in an orientation that is readable by machines such as a computer scanner or reader and is legible, may be provided in any position of the envelope. Optionally, the address can be printed on the envelope after inserting the content. Optionally, a return address is pre-printed on the envelope. Optionally, a prepaid postal indicia is provided on the envelope. 

What I claim is:
 1. A method of filling an envelope, the method including the steps of providing an envelope having a sealable opening; providing one or more leaves arranged to fit within the envelope, at least one leaf or the envelope carrying at least one machine readable address representative of addressee information; inserting the leaf or leaves into the envelope through the opening such that the address is positioned for correct reading by a machine when the envelope is oriented with the sealable opening below the address with the address in its readable orientation.
 2. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in claim 1, wherein the envelope has an address window and the addressee information is contained on the leaf or leaves.
 3. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in claim 1, wherein the envelope can be closed by sealing its opening.
 4. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the envelope has a re-usable sealing flap in which a tearable strip with protruding ends is provided.
 5. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tearable strip has a gap therein so that the tearable strip can be torn towards its outer ends.
 6. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in claim 4, wherein the envelope can be opened by pulling one of the protruding ends from either end.
 7. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the envelope is oriented in a position where the flap is at the bottom edge of the envelope in first use.
 8. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leaf or leaves is/are mechanically inserted into the upside down envelope through its opening which is located at the bottom edge.
 9. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more address(es) is printed on the leaves such that after insertion through the opening of the envelope (which is oriented below the address), at least one of the addresses is positioned in the window for correct reading by the machine.
 10. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a code or bar code which can be read by a machine is provided with the address.
 11. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in claim 10, wherein the code or bar code can be provided on the face of the envelope.
 12. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in either one of claims 10 and 11, wherein the code or bar code can be provided as part of the address visible through the window.
 13. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope comprises a pre-printed return address.
 14. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a prepaid postal indicia is provided on the envelope.
 15. A method of processing mail, the method including imprinting or locating a destination or address or a code or bar code on the bottom or the back of a leaf or the covering sheet of a letter or invoice or the like; folding the imprinted leaf in such a way that the leaf is divided into “n” portions with “n−1” creases; providing an envelope, which encloses a space, possessing a translucent or transparent window, in an upside-down position with the opening at the base; inserting the imprinted leaf mechanically into the envelope; the construction and arrangement being such that the destination or address is visible through the window and is in an orientation which is readable by a computer scanner or reader; sealing the envelope mechanically before despatching.
 16. A method of processing mail as claimed in claim 15, wherein “n” equals three.
 17. A method of processing mail as claimed in either one of claims 15 and 16, wherein “n” equals one or two.
 18. A method of processing mail as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the orientation of the address and the code or bar code is non-inverted and is in a legible orientation.
 19. A method of processing mail as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the address, which is to be used in first use and readable through the window, is printed on the leaf in any other side or position that allows the address to show through the window, facing up.
 20. A method of processing mail as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein more than one address is printed on either side of the leaf or leaves.
 21. A method of processing mail as claimed in claims 15 to 20, wherein the address can be printed in any other orientation.
 22. A method of processing mail as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the leaf or the covering sheet is folded in an either “rolling” or “zig-zag” way.
 23. A method of processing mail as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the leaf or covering sheet is folded into three equal portions.
 24. A method of processing mail as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the leaf or covering sheet is unfolded or folded into two equal portions.
 25. A method of processing mail as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein the address can be printed in an orientation such that it is visible through the window and is in an orientation which is readable by a computer scanner or reader.
 26. A method of processing mail as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 25, wherein the destination or address is repeated on the top left hand corner of the leaf or covering sheet.
 27. A method of filling a letter mechanically into a window envelope; the construction and arrangement being such that the machine readable address representative of addressee information on the letter which may be viewed through the window can be mechanically read by a machine with the envelope in an upside down position.
 28. A method of filling a letter mechanically into a window envelope as claimed in claim 27, wherein an opening and a flap is provided along the bottom edge of the envelope when the envelope lies in a substantially vertical plane.
 29. A method of filling a letter mechanically into a window envelope as claimed in either of claims 27 and 28, wherein the address of the envelope is in the right way up when the envelope lies in a substantially vertical plane.
 30. An envelope adapted for return mailing including a back panel; a front panel; a transparent or translucent window through which an address can be seen; a sealing flap which has a pair of adhesive lines there across, one adjacent the fold line between the front panel, and the other adjacent the distal edge of the sealing panel, a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel lines of slits, cuts or perforations across the sealing flap and substantially parallel to the adhesive lines, the lines of slits, cuts or perforations being closely adjacent to the nearer adhesive line, so that in sealing, the sealing flap can be folded onto the back panel and the distal adhesive line adhered to the back panel, the material between the lines of slits, cuts or perforations being substantially removed and the adhesive line adjacent the fold line to the front panel being adhered to the back panel to allow the envelope to be re-used; the construction and arrangement being such that the envelope is provided in an upside-down position with its opening and the sealing flap at the base.
 31. An envelope as claimed in claim 30, wherein the material between the lines of slits, cuts or perforations has a gap along its length such that, in use, material may be removed in both directions from the gap.
 32. An envelope as claimed in claim 30, wherein protruding ends are provided at the two ends of the material such that the envelope can be opened by pulling the protruding ends.
 33. An envelope as claimed in any one of claims 30 and 32, wherein the envelope includes side flaps.
 34. A blank for an envelope, the blank being divided in at least three panels comprising a first mail face, a second mail face and a sealing flap, at least the first mail face being pre-printed, the sealing flap being at the bottom of the first mail face with respect to the printing.
 35. A blank for an envelope as claimed in claim 34, wherein the blank includes side flaps.
 36. A blank for an envelope as claimed in either one of claims 34 and 35, wherein a pair of side panels are provided on the front panel or the back panel so that the ends of the envelope may be closed in use.
 37. A method of filling an envelope as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 38. A method of processing mail as claimed in claim 15 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 39. An envelope as claimed in claim 30 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 40. A blank as claimed in claim 34 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 